The regulars here are divided between those who stay on the river, as mentioned by Gpanda, above. That is my preference. If you want a serviced apartment, Centerpoint Silom is the one to look at in the area. Others prefer to stay inn the Sukhumvit area, next to a skytrain stop.

Believe me, you don't want to stay near Suvarnabhumi which is the new airport area, way out of town, or Don Muang, the old airport area, which is also far from anything you want to do.

I agree that first-timers should stay somewhere along the river. I like the Peninsula best, but the other hotels mentioned are also excellent choices.

After my first couple of times in BKK, I now stay in the Sukhumvit area. It is much more centrally located for me. I go to BKK to shop and dine and to see friends who live there.

We will be glad to help with your selection of hotels and dining.

Thanks guys
Contacted Center Pointe Silom on the river that is my target hotel in BKK.
In Phuket I want a hotel more like a villa more traditional on the beach or near. I read about other towns around Phuket, same question as BKK Any areas to stay away from?

I have a suggestion, instead of spending all this time e-mailing why don't you all come with us. What do you say?
Al

Marv
Do you have room in your suitcases?? lol I promise not to take up tooooo much room.

Re: Phuket
Stay away from Patong Beach. It's too touristy and hectic, with touts that want to sell you anything and everything.

I like Mom Tri's Villa Royale. Have stayed there a couple of times. You have to walk down some stairs to get to Kata Noi Beach (a nice smaller beach). Also look at Mom Tri's Boathouse on Kata Beach.
Carol

Great! I'll pack my bags. ;-)

As Carol says, avoid Patong Beach. Take a look at www.sawadee.com and browse the places they book on Phuket (it's a site many of us use). That may give you some ideas.

Just got a message from Center Pointe Silom
Booked
Any other suggestions?
Al

Happy New Year
Another question
Thw Sawanee web site looks great, I found two hotels around the area of Center Point Silom that I am interested in, they are Sofitel Silom Bangkok and Monarch Lee Gardens. Both show up on the map but Sawanee dosn't list it, does anyone know why?

Has anyone done business with Asia-Discovery.com ?
If so are they reliable?

Thanks

Sorry, can't help with asia-discover.

If a hotel doesn't show up on sawadee.com it means they don't book them. Sawadee is a Thai hotel booking site. It has relationships with many Thai hotels, but certainly not all.

I've never heard of the Monarch Lee Gardens. I have heard of the Sofitel Silom which gets ok reviews.

lee gardens is part of a chain -- they have a huge one in hong kong that services tour groups primarily...

sofitel gets decent reviews, espcially their eating facilities...

on line it says sofitel took over the lee gardens and renamed it sofitel silom....its on the left as you drive up silom rd....a decent location ....

I also found this site
called Bangkokbobs.com
which showes some great prices. Note prices are excluding tax so add 17% but they are still cheaper for the same hotel on Sawadee.
Have anyone done business with them or heard of them?

The Sofitel Silom will run you around $170 per room or $510 for the 3 you need. This is above what you said that you would like to spend. In my opion this hotel while nice is overpriced.

The Somerset Suawan for a large 3 bedroom can be had for around $272 net with breakfast. And it is in a much better location than the Sofitel.

Look at the Arnoma hotel for rooms just over $100 each. Good location by the Central World Plaza and a fairly nice comfortable hotel

Very helpful reading as I am planning a similar trip.

Will check-out some of the recommenced hotels/booking agents - thanks.

Wow almost everything is booked. We have finally found a place called the Oakwood City Residence hotel. After contacting 7 hotels all booked we just nervious that we would have to live in a undesirable area or double our budget.
I'll let you know how it turned out.
By the way Agoda is the service we used and in comparison they seem a little less expensive.

BTW, there are two hotels in Khao Lak (90 km. north of Phuket--where you fly to from BKK or Chiang Mai) that have family rooms that are in your price range.

Khao Lak Orchid Beach Resort (direct book w/ their website or via AsiaRooms.com which you can charge in US$ to lock in the price & avoid the CC charge for charges in foreign currencies)... has family rooms, a few, prices include breakfast, a big buffet, they are directly on a beach that runs for about 2 miles... no hotels are next door. A room for two adults is $100 per night including tax, service charge & full breakfast.

Also, Poseiden Bungalows, has its own website, is an eco-resort all alone in a cove in southern KL, it has family sized 'tree' houses, owned by a Swedish man, they do excursions & are closer to town than KLOB... all rooms are bungalows or treehouses (newly built above the tsunami line)... more rustic. Rooms are about $50--$100

KLOB is 3 star & has great reviews on Trip Advisor.

Phuket is incredibly touristy & over-built, some people like it, but some people like Waikiki... if you want clean, deserted beaches, great access to snorkel/scuba & 5 national parks in the area for trekking, kayaking, elephant trekking, go to Khao Lak. You can always take a day trip down to Phuket.

Personally, I found HKT touristy in 1989.

Glad you found a place in Bangkok. What did you end up getting at Oakwood. a 3Br or 2+1. I looked at the rates on the Agoda site and they are high after you add on the 17.7% tax. On the sawadee site (http://www.sawadee.com/hotels/bangkok.html) the rates are somewhat cheaper.

In BKK we got all single bedrooms. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Paying $82 per night.
Having some problems in Phuket, the hotels we have checked, 3 of them are booked.
Also we need to get some suggestions
on Chaing Mai, seems like the best place to stay is in the area outside the walls towards the river near the night bazzar.
Any thoughts?